Flame-operable switch



Oct 29, 1940- J. J. ANDERTON l2,219,973

FLAME-OPERABLE SWITCH File-d Sept. 21 1939 Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLAME- OPERABLE SWITCH James J. Anderton, Weldon, N. C., assigner of one-'- half to Abraham Elias, Weldon, N. C.

Application September 21, 1939, Serial No. 295,954

3 Claims. (Cl. 20o-142) This invention relates to a switch construction The circuit through the alarm or other member adapted for use in connection with nre-alarm I is normally open but is adapted to be closed systems and it aims to provide a novel, inexat a predetermined temperature of the surroundpensive and eicient construction adapted for use ing air and by contact of a flame with the switch.

5 at various locations in buildings such as the To this end, a metallic or other plate 2| is home, factory, oice, store and auditoriums or fastened or positioned across the bottom of the otherwise, and even in vehicles, so as to be block lll, being held in place for example by a operable by a flame or heat in the event of a re, screw 22, threaded to the block. A switch rod to close such switch to operate a siren, re- 23 is secured against the inner surface of the lo alarm or other audible signal or means. plate 2| as at 24 by a suitable solder or usible 10 It is further aimed to provide such a construcmaterial, adapted to melt at a predetermined tion wherein the circuit is normally held open by temperature and especially in the presence of a fusible means. llame, whereby it will be automatically released IThe more specific objects and advantages will and detached from the plate 2|. 1 become apparent from a consideration of the t will be noted that the bottom face of the 15 description following taken in connection with block ill has a slot or groove therein at a right accompanying drawing illustrating an operative angie to the slots i3 and in which said rod 23 is embodiment. free for movement to bridge the conductors I4,

In said drawingwhen separated from the plate 2|. Figure l is an inverted plan view showing the An opening or recess 26 is provided through the 20 improved switch; block Iii and it communicates with the slot 25. Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof; In such recess 26, a contractile coil spring 2l is Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the plane housed which has a hook 28 at its lower end in of line 3-3 of Figure 1; engagement with the rod 2li and attachment of Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on the plane which hook to the rod is facilitated by a slit 29 in 25 of line 4--4 of Figure 2; the plate 2| extending inwardly from one end Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on the thereof, transversely of and past the rod 24. plane of line 5-5 of Figure 2, and The other end of said spring 2l has a hook 30 Figure 6 is an electric diagram showing the which is engaged with an anchoring rod 3| disemployment of the switch in a fire-alarm or posed in a transverse slot 32 of the block and 30 equivalent electric circuit. open at the top thereof.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein As a result of the construction described, it will like reference characters designate like or similar be realized that although one of the switches is parts, a body cr block of insulation is provided shown, any desired number of them may be arat I0 adapted t0 be mounted in any suitable ranged in the. same electric circuit and that they 35 manner as by means of fastenings II, passed may be arranged at any desired location within through openings in ears I2 integral with such the room of a home, oiice, factory, auditorium or body. Across one face of the block I0, for nelsewhere, or arranged at diierent locations Withstance the bottom face, a pair of parallel grooves in a vehicle containing an alarm system or other- I3 are cut in which portions of conductor wires wise, so that in the event of lire, the switch I4 are disposed. Such wires I4, as suggested in closest to the iiame, will be subjected to the heat Figure 6, are adapted to be connected in parallel thereof in order to melt the fusible material 24, in an electric circuit including an audible memthus freeing the rod 23 so that the contractile ber I5, such as a nre-alarm, siren, signal or the action of the spring 2i will thereupon move the like. By way of example, that portion of the rod into bridging relation with the conductors I4 45 circuit containing the wires I4 has a secondary and eiTect the alarm, signal or the like at the coil I6 of a transformer I'I, the primary coil of instrument I5, giving warning of the re and which is shown at I8 and adapted to receive its enabling those within the re danger Zone, to current or energy from any desired source. All seek a place of safety.

exposed portions of the conductors I4 as usual Various changes may be resorted to provided 50 are covered with suitable insulation as at I9. they fall within the spirit and scope of the in- Said conductors I4 are held against displacevention. ment from the grooves or slots I3 by means of I claim as my invention: SCI'eWS 20 Which are threaded into the block OI` 1, A switch of the class described Comprising a,

body lil and cross such slots I3. block having spaced conductors thereon, a switch 55 closing member engageable with the conductors, spring means urging said member toward the conductors, a mounting for -the switch closing member, fusible means connecting said switch closing member to the mounting, said spring means having a hook engaging the switch closing member,- and said mounting'having a slit enabling application of the hook to the switch closing member.

2. A switch of the class described comprising a block having spaced conductors thereon, a switch closing member engageable with the conductors, spring means urging said member toward the conductors, a mounting for the switch closing member, fusible means connecting said switch closing member to the mounting, said block having slots crossed by the switch closing member andfin which said conductor members are disposed, and said mounting member closing said slots.

3. A switch of the class described comprising a blockA having spaced conductors thereon, a switch closing member engageable with the conductors, spring means urging said member toward the conductors, a mounting for the switch closing member, fusible means connecting said switch closing member to the mounting, said block having slots in which said conductor members are disposed, said mounting' member closing said slots, a rod crossing the end of the block opposite to the mounting and to which one end of said spring is connected, and fastening members on the block crossing the first mentioned slots to retain the conductors therein.

J ANIES J. ANDERTON. 

